The best rain coats for a miserable summer

Terra New York raincoats

As I write this the rain is pouring down, much as it has all week since her Maj’ got drenched watching the Diamond Jubilee Flotilla. Wales has seen parts of itself washed away this weekend and there’s no sign of a let up soon. We should be writing about sun dresses but you’d be better off investing in a good mac for this summer.

Our favourite are the beautiful Terra New York macs, above, aren’t they gorgeous? As far as I can see they are not yet available in the UK unless anyone knows better….the company does ship but as someone who has just had to pay import tax and a whopping £13.50 Parcel Force ‘handling fee’ on a notepad sent from Japan, I’m not recommending it. Check eBay or plan a trip to New York.

Nike's NSW M-65 Gore Tex jacket

A raincoat that has been raved about by TWR reader Lorna is the Nike NSW M-65 Gore-Tex jacket (about £375) with it’s perfectly sculpted shape, sealed waterproof seams and beautiful detailing on flaps which stop the rain getting in. It’s rainwear- engineering rather than just a boring old coat and well worth investing in. It’s also got a strong cool factor and is lightweight, so might be worth saving up for. Check your local Nike supplier.

COS waxed coat left, Anthropologie dotted anorak right

COS has a smart waxed cotton navy raincoat that shrieks classy-wet-weather-gear at €125, you could always add a bright umbrella if you needed colour, and the Anthropologie spotted anorak at £138 does the job for a more casual look and we can’t resist a polka dot.

Cath Kidston, left, Whistles right

Over at John Lewis the Cath Kidston rose print rain coat is a bargain at £35 and the Whistles Billy lightweight parka at £125 is a neat casual option.

Kimono rain coat from Style-Passport

If anyone understands the need for a good raincoat while pottering around the seaside on a British staycation it’s travel clothing specialists Style-Passport. The Rainwave kimono cape fits the bill nicely and is a reasonable £48.

Hobbs trench left, DVF floral trench right

Since it is sale time you could pick up a bargain in a trench, since every high street brand has one in its range this summer, Burberry must be mad. I like the shorter length Hobbs version in scarlet, very Duchess of Cambridge, or you could pick up an early sale bargain in its classic Costigan trench coat which is reduced by over £100. Diane Von Furstenberg floral cotton coat doesn’t look as if it should get really soaked (in the sale at Matches, £277) but it’s one of my favourites, I love DVF and the range has been on something of a roll for the last two or three seasons.

Alternatively you could snap up one of these pagoda style umbrellas for a mere £19 to dodge the raindrops.